Celebrated actor Kamal Haasan’s latest crime thriller Vishwaroopam seems jinxed as protest from a section of Muslims has again stalled the screening of the film.

It is alleged that terrorism has been linked to a community hurting their sentiments. Critics who got a chance to see the slick film are raving over the plot, action and Kamal’s acting.

Many theatres in Bangalore and Hyderabad cancelled morning and noon shows of the film on Friday after authorities requested them to help avoid law and order problems on a day when Muslims celebrate the Milad-un-Nabi festival.

Representatives of Rajkamal Films said that talks were on with police and theatre owners to arrive at a time to screen the movie in both the cities. Around 90 screens in Kerala screened the movie in the morning though some shows were disrupted in places like Palakkad. The cancelled shows will add to the problems of the film, which was not released in Tamil Nadu due to a state government decision.

Collectors of all districts in the state had asked theatres to not screen the movie after various Muslim organisations, including the Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam and the Tamil Nadu Tauheed Jamaat, objected to the portrayal of Muslims in the film.

After the producer filed a writ petition, the Madras high court put off the release till January 28. It will also review the content to check whether it contains offensive references.

Television channels reported that a judge will review the film on Saturday and deliver his verdict on January 28.

Mohammed Hanifa, co-ordinator for the Tamil Nadu Muslim Movements and Political Parties Confederation, said the film should be banned.

Kamal Haasan, 58, denied that his film was against Muslims. In a statement, the film-maker said he was "ruthlessly used as a vehicle" by groups seeking a political profile and called for an end to "cultural terrorism".
The spy thriller shot in US and Afghanistan stars Kamal in main role supported by Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah, Rahul Bose and Shekar Kapur.